How far is Rainbow City, AL from Birmingham, AL?
The driving distance from Rainbow City, AL to Birmingham, AL is about 62.3 miles (100.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 58m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 53 miles (85.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 56m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 00h 58m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Town in St.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Rainbow City and Birmingham.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rainbow City and Birmingham.
-
1
Start on the route
17 m · 9 sec
-
2
Turn sharp left onto Rainbow Drive
38 m · 8 sec · Rainbow Drive
-
3
Turn left onto West Grand Avenue
3.9 mi · 7 min · West Grand Avenue
-
4
Continue on Gilbert Ferry Road Southeast
2594 ft · 53 sec · Gilbert Ferry Road Southeast
-
5
Take the ramp left toward I-59 South: Birmingham
2313 ft · 1 min
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6
Merge slight left
48.2 mi · 52 min
-
7
Take the exit slight right toward US 11: 1st Avenue North
782 ft · 19 sec
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8
Keep slight left to continue on US 11 South: 1st Avenue North
100 m · 8 sec
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9
Continue on 1st Avenue North
5.7 mi · 9 min · 1st Avenue North
-
10
Turn right onto 24th Street North
1486 ft · 41 sec · 24th Street North
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11
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 24th Street North
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Rainbow City and Birmingham.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I-59 South
Merge slight left
48.2 mi · 00h 52m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Sunny leaving Rainbow City and Sunny near Birmingham.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Rainbow City to Birmingham?
The road trip is about 62.3 miles (100.2 km) and usually takes 00h 58m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Springville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 29.6 miles from Rainbow City and 32.6 miles from Birmingham.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 53 miles (85.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.3 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:34 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.33 one way or $16.66 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 19.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Rainbow City and Sunny near Birmingham.
Stop Ideas Near Springville
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Springville.
Birmingham
Anniston
Brent, AL
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Rainbow City and Birmingham. Straight-line distance: 53 mi (85.3 km).
#1 Rainbow City
City in Alabama, United States
| Population | 9,611 |
| Coordinates | 33.9548200, -86.0419200 |
| Altitude | 170 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Birmingham
The most populous city in Alabama.
| Population | 206,950 |
| Coordinates | 33.5206600, -86.8024900 |
| Altitude | 187 |
| Country | United States |
End: 24th Street North (-86.802565, 33.520626)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 100 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 04m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 33m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 14m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 02m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 53m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 46m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $8.33 | $16.66 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $9.37 | $18.74 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $10.18 | $20.35 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $11.91 | $23.83 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Alabama · Apr 14, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.